I got an email today from someone nicely checking in on me. In that email she brought up a point that rubbed me the wrong way because it touches so pointedly on the sore spot I’ve been trying to avoid.
I have always been suspicious of the folks who are anti-church. Not the atheists and the agnostics, but the people who are against big church buildings as houses for worship. It seems to me that just as God made folks with skills for doctoring (so we shouldn’t avoid doctors), God made folks with skills in architecture, stained glass, flower arranging and all the other things that are associated with Church In A Box. Why should we as worshippers deny those people an avenue in which to honour God with their talents? You can’t read Pillars of the Earth and not appreciate church buildings as a sort of offering to God.
More and more lately, though, I’ve come to question how I feel about Church In A Box. Last Friday everything sort of came crashing in together and I’ve been stuck mulling for several days now. I read on another blog about the high infant mortality rate in Tennessee. Now this is something I’ve known about for awhile, and done research on. I know there are many causes for it, but I don’t see what Christ’s church is doing to effect a solution. That same afternoon I read through some emails and saw a blurb about a bit of spending that part of Christ’s church is doing which doesn’t really seem to benefit anyone except the person receiving the money. Pardon if I don’t go into details–the specifics are somewhat confidential. But it’s yet another way in which we as Christians spend money without helping sick women and their dying babies.
I don’t believe the churches you see on the streets in your towns are there for those who are not believers. I strongly believe that the first purpose of those churches is to minister to the members of the family of believers. These believers, strengthened and grown in Grace, are to go ye into all the world preaching the gospel. By “preaching the gospel” i take that to mean the act of showing the world the face of Christ. Feeding the hungry. Clothing the naked. Doing unto the least of these. Church buildings and congregations are a necessary part of the food chain. Just as you have a home where you rest in between your work days, Christians have a church home for solace in between the times of their mission on earth.
It seems to me more and more, though, that we’re too busy turning these church homes into palaces and doing nothing more with our tithe dollars than recycling them through the wealth of the church. I somehow don’t think that’s the point of it all. Just look at the dying babies of Tennessee.
So yes, I think I’m becoming one of those people. One of those who questions the way God’s money–because that’s what tithes and offerings are–is spent. Is Christ more glorified by a new sound system or by the rescuing of one lost sheep?
First of all, I agree with you, for the most part. This is a tricky subject. Yes, the church’s focus should be on helping the poor and needy. However, if the church does it correctly, they aren’t asking people to give money to the church building that they would otherwise give to the poor, they are asking people to give money that they would otherwise spend on themselves. Let’s face it, they are a few Christians who can afford to give to the poor and spruce up the church a bit.
Think of the lady who spent money on expensive oil to wash Jesus’ feet. Judas criticized her for “wasting” money that would supposedly gone to the poor (yes, the fact that Judas is in this story is unfortunate for my analogy – trust me, I’m not saying you are anything like him, he wasn’t truly concerned about the poor but his pocketbook). I just think that story shows that not every cent has to be spent on the poor in order to glorify God, and it may not even always appear to be practical in human terms to glorify God.
So yes, I do agree with you, I just think we need to allow a little bit of flexibility.
i’m all about spending money building up & shaping the hearts of our teens, and sometimes our adults for the works you speak of. thankfully my church peeps don’t get on my case about how i’m doing that, but i am also grateful for people who tend to the house we worship in and maintain the institution. it does enable more works to continue. i get though where you are going.
here is another thought. we pay somewhere around like 14% of our income in taxes to fuel all kinds of things. is it possible that somewhere along the line we gave over the work of the church to our government, but in principle and in giving? how bout we implore that we take back some of those responsibilities and our money too.. try talking that one up
I don’t mean to over simplify it, but doesn’t it come down to that if all of us who are Christians and Jews practiced what we preached or believe, there wouldn’t be any homeless or hungry or people dying because they can’t afford health care.
I think there is a portion–a smaller portion unfortunately, who actually practice what they preach. But if all who call themselves a Christian or a Jew pitched in, a lot of these problems would be solved, with or without buildings, fancy or otherwise.
is it possible that somewhere along the line we gave over the work of the church to our government, but in principle and in giving? how bout we implore that we take back some of those responsibilities and our money too.. try talking that one up
I guess you’ve missed all those libertarian blog posts where I indeed talk that one up. ;-p
i tried laying low during most political talk. not that yours was the harmful ones, but too much of that is hurtful for my soul. &:~)
guessing we’d be of similar mind on that then.
I didn’t do very much political talk for the same reason. The libertarian posts were made before you began blogging, I think. Although now that I think about it some more, a lot of those things have been in the comments sections of other blogs. But yes, I am a firm believer in smaller government and larger private sector charity giving.
Good Post!
Yes! I do believe we as christians should be a good steward of our money. We have a right to know how our money are being spent. Some christians would say that they trust God how the money are being used, but they don’t question nor ask for a financial transparent report. I have known some churches that don’t have financial transparency and so many of the congregant don’t bother asking for one, or if they do ask for one there is a somewhat “attitude” as to don’t ask. I mean these church are very well known and with good reputation. I have also known churches to manipulate by using the message of the “Cross” or showing video of hungry children in the third world country as a mean to give. In other words, manipulate the cause as to make people feel guilty or toil with their emotions. I am a member of a church where they have invested millions of dollars on a building. Would you believe that! Although it is used for the body of Christ to gather, but nevertheless, it is only a brick building. I can only think of how those millions of dollars could have been used like the cause that you have mentioned. I do question now how church leaders manage their money. I do question how they as leaders live with other people’s tithes. It makes one wonder, is this how God intended it to be? Have we strayed from the truth of what God says in His Word? God said, to be wise, to be practical, to make good choices regarding our giving, to give with a cheerful heart, to give to the needy and the poor. God glorifies Himself through His presence, through His people, not in a stones of wall.
We are His living stones…..
God said to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to those who are thirsty…..And go make disciples.
I believe that His church (people) are beginning to wake up!